Enjoy Life
The rise and rise of the birthday cake
From freezer cakes and synthetic ingredients to Bake Off-inspired showstoppers and a focus on organic, vegan and free from; Food Historian Angela Clutton looks back at the history of the birthday cake and how our tastes have changed over the past 40 years to mark organic and gluten free flour producer Doves Farm’s 40th birthday.
The history of the birthday cake: 1970s to now
1970s
With a growing number of homes having freezers and both parents increasingly going out to work, freezer cakes such as Black Forest Gateaux became popular.
In 1978 Doves Farm founders Clare and Michael grew and processed their first organic wholemeal flour. In the same year, the couple produced their first naturally gluten free flour after Clare’s mother was prescribed a gluten free diet.
This was the period in which Delia Smith was achieving huge mainstream success, showing time-and-skill-strapped families how to cook. Interestingly in her ‘Complete Cookery Course, published in 1978, Delia says; “Some of the chief contributors to the boredom of our modern synthetic diet are those dull, factory-made cakes and flavourless biscuits which come so prettily wrapped on supermarket shelves”. So in the very year of Doves Farm’s birth there was a growing appreciation of the importance of quality and natural ingredients in baking.
1980s
Fuelled by the 1981 Royal Wedding and Diana’s ‘cake’ of a dress, many little girls dreamt about having a ‘princess cake’ and recipes for making it at home using a Christmas pudding basin to make a bowl-shaped sponge, as much pink icing as possible, topped with a legless Barbie or Sindy surrounded by sprinkles abounded.
1990s
This decade saw home baking really take off and birthday cakes became much more elaborate. There was also a widening of understanding about the importance of quality ingredients, with Nigella Lawson emphasising the importance of quality chocolate in ‘How to Eat’, published in 1998.
2000s
Home baking amps up even more. Decorations are more elaborate than ever, but interestingly the classic and nostalgic Victoria Sponge endures in popularity as a base. Arriving on the heels of a really quite brief appearance of Sex and the City, cupcakes also become ubiquitous.
2010s
Bake Off arrives on screen, building on the ever-growing interest in home baking. The show makes it more important than ever for people to bake birthday cakes at home and raises expectations of what home bakers can create. Interest in provenance and organic, as well as in free from and vegan, grows.
The future…?
Angela Clutton predicts that birthday cakes will continue to develop their ongoing happy marriage between the natural and healthy with the iconic and retro, which Doves Farm is poised to tap into
The history of the birthday cake: From the ancient Greeks to 1970s
The idea of decorating a sweet treat with candles as a celebration goes back to the ancient Greeks and to Artemis the Greek goddess of the moon.
Through the 19th century, birthday cakes became more elaborate and often had layers. Baking powder was introduced in the second half of the 19th century – helping cooks achieve a good, consistent rise on their birthday cakes.
By the 20th century birthdays and birthday cakes had become much more prevalent. Tellingly, in 1928 Good Housekeeping published articles on ‘cakes for a party’
Housewives of the 1950s had more time and inclination to spend on baking and this tied in with the development of equipment to make baking easier and quicker.
As the 60s turned into the 70s, women no longer saw the same appeal in spending their days focussed solely on the house and family. Aspirations and careers developed, giving rise to two conflicting tropes: the need for convenience and speed; married with a desire to still fulfil the traditional role of wife and mother.
How will you be celebrating National Cake Day? We want to know!
If you have photos to share, we'd love to see them and find out a bit more about your trip to Arizona. Just head over to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to share your stories and photos with us.
Other stories in Enjoy Life
Tasty, healthy recipes by Joanne Wood
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 2
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 1
Finger-licking Good! Tasty Chicken recipes
Beauty: Say 'Allo 'Allo to an alluring look
British Library: Palace of the printed word
Look good and feel great with CBD
Interior design: Inspiration for outdoor spaces
Summer fun at Belvoir Castle
Finding Fitness Starts With Fashion
‘In Vogue’ Veg – Cavolo Nero Sales Grow by 14%
Eat Continental and live longer
A life-affirming book... about death
Get Sewing: Floral bespoke notebook cover
Find your family fortunes... for FREE!
Beauty: Get set for spring...
Spanish Recipes: Small is beautiful
The Vegan Revolution
Interior Design: Maximise your living space
Pets need a spring clean too
Visit Family Tree Live
MasterChef: Classic with a Twist
Get Sewing: Quilted pot-holder
Bob Dylan "Rock and Roll music wasn’t enough for me”
Plant Power Day: 7th March 2019
Interior Design: Less is more in minimalist home
A second chance at love
Interior Design: Great Gatsby Cabinet
Walking back to happiness
Baking With Veg
Totally Tina Tour
How to take care of your hair over-50
The nation's most popular cake recipes
Your views: Can you help?
Hail the grandparent aupairs
Beauty: Denise Welch "I love the shape I'm in at 60"
The Austerity Olympics
Healthy reasons to acquire a taste for olives
Grand Treats for Grandchildren
Declutter your home, and clear your mind
Scandi-style Mules for Swollen Feet
Beetroot and Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
In your garden: October
Dr Norman Croucher: The toughest summit of them all
Craft Corner: Sweet Easter Basket
Have your cake and eat your Easter egg too!
Interior Design: Moroccan inspired drawers
BR remembered... 70 years on
A gentleman's guide to spring fashion
Why antique jewellery is glittering
New Year, new beauty habits
Cliff Richard "I have a deeper faith now"
Do you remember? Oliver!
What we really look for in retirement living
Interior Design: Wedding bells on a budget
Counter culture: The revival of the board game
Jodie Whittaker: "Doctor Who is all about change"
85 year old Grandmother gains a PhD
Dame Eileen and a Crowning glory
Writing the story of you life
Why winter shouldn't stop you: don't wait until New Year
World' first 'wellness shed' stirs up mindfulness
Growing old is amazing
Don't miss out on the internet age
Prepare to feel ancient...
Hawks: Up close and personal
Studious retiree heads back to school
Garden Expert: Soaking up the sun
Emily Watson "I'ts such a gypsy life"
Here's to you Mrs Robinson
Brits Embracing 'Urban Birding'
Volunteering for Nature
The Secret to Younger Looking Eyes
Anti-ageing Options Part 2
Anti-ageing Options
End of the road for a pop icon
Reaching out to Dementia Sufferers: Sporting Memories Network
Are you ready for retirement?
Afternoon Tea Recipes
Surprisingly Good Wholegrain Recipes: Savoury
Staying safe in the Summer heat: Drowning prevention
Stardust Memories
Baking made easy
Cooking for one
The real cost of your wine
